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The pineapple is indigenous to the South American countries Brazil and Paraguay. Pineapple was well distributed throughout Latin America by the indigenous population before Columbus found it and took it back to Spain.
Attempts to cultivate pineapple in Europe failed due to the fruit’s need for a tropical climate in order to grow.
Portuguese and Spanish explorers carried pineapples aboard their ships as protection against scurvy, and soon introduced them into Africa and Asia where they flourished.
Today Thailand is the world’s top pineapple producer, with the United States, the Philippines, China, Brazil and Mexico other major producers.
Health Benefits of Pineapples
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Nutrients
Pineapple is an excellent source of vitamin C and manganese. It’s a very good source of vitamin Bl. It’s a good source of vitamin B6, copper, magnesium, and dietary fiber.
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Mucha Habermann's Disease
Mucha Habermann's disease (Pityriasis lichenoides chronica) is a rare disease of the immune system of unknown origin, characterized by recurrent red, round and elevated lesions on the skin. In a 3-month study involving 8 patients with Pityriasis lichenoides chronica (PLC), they were treated with bromelain, an enzyme found in pineapple and pineapple stems. It was concluded that bromelain is an effective therapeutic option for PLC after all patients showed complete recovery.
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Sinusitis
In Germany, where bromelain is approved by the German Commission E for the treatment of sinusitis, a clinical trial demonstrated that children diagnosed with acute sinusitis recovered significantly faster when treated with pineapple bromelain compared to other treatments.
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Anti Inflammatory
There is some clinical evidence that suggests the effectiveness of bromelain as an anti-inflammatory, and may reduce swelling, bruising, healing time, and pain following surgery and physical injuries. In a 3-month study involving subjects with mild acute knee pain, it was concluded that bromelain might be effective in ameliorating pain.
Bromelain found in pineapple is a proteolytic enzyme (enzymes that digest protein), and in a clinical trial involving patients with periarthritis of the shoulder, and also patients suffering from painful osteoarthritis of the knee, pain reduction with the treatment of proteolytic enzymes was comparable to those treated with NSAIDs (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
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Nutrient Values of Pineapple per 100g
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Sugars
9.85g
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Dietary Fiber
1.4g
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Sodium
1mg
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Zinc
0.12mg
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Potassium
109mg
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Magnesium
0.927mg
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Copper
0.110mg
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Calcium
13mg
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Vitamin C
47.8mg
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Vitamin E
0.63mg
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Vit. B3 (Niacin)
0.500mg
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Vitamin B6
0.112mg
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Vit. B1 (Thiamin)
0.079mg
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Vit. B2 (Riboflavin)
0.032mg
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References:
The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods by Michael Murray, Joseph Pizzorno, and Lara Pizzorno.
Benders' Dictionary of Nutrition and Food Technology.
USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference
PubMed. PMID: 17671882
PubMed. PMID: 12587686
PubMed. PMID: 6256612
PubMed. PMID: 10666820
PubMed. PMID: 15796206
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